Pogonochloa

HABIT Perennial. Rhizomes short. Culms 30–40 cm long. Ligule an eciliate membrane.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes.

Racemes borne along a central axis; in a multilateral false spike; unilateral. Rhachis angular. Spikelet packing broadside to rhachis.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets sessile.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets cuneate; laterally compressed; 3–3.5 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; exceeding apex of florets; gaping. Lower glume oblong; 1 length of upper glume; membranous; 1-keeled; 1 -veined. Lower glume lateral veins absent. Lower glume surface without pits. Lower glume apex obtuse, or acute; awned. Upper glume oblong; 1.3–1.4 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; 1-keeled; 1 -veined. Upper glume apex emarginate, or truncate; awned; 1 -awned.

FLORETS Fertile lemma lanceolate; membranous; keeled; wingless; 3 -veined. Lemma surface unwrinkled; without grooves; pilose. Lemma apex awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn flexuous. Palea 0.8 length of lemma; 2 -veined. Apical sterile florets 1–2 in number; barren; in a clump; linear. Apical sterile lemmas awned.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp.

DISTRIBUTION Africa.

Please cite this publication as detailed in How to Cite Version: 3rd February 2016.